Issue №: 1 (132)
The journal presents the results of scientific research and addresses current issues in the development and improvement of agricultural equipment and technologies, particularly in the design, production, and operation of machines and technical systems in the agro-industrial complex, including aspects of their efficient functioning.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE DESIGN OF A STRAW MULCH PICKUP USING THE TECHNOLOGY OF GROWING POTATOES ON THE FIELD SURFACE
Roman KYRYCHENKO – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the State Biotechnological University (44 Alchevskikh St., Kharkiv, Ukraine, 61002, e-mail: kirichenkoromeo@btu.kharkov.ua, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7830-6956).
Mykola BAKUM – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the State Biotechnological University (44 Alchevskikh St., Kharkiv, Ukraine, 61002, e-mail: bakymshm@btu.kharkov.ua, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1049-0464).
Oleksandr LUBCHENKO – Postgraduate Student of the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the State Biotechnological University (44 Alchevskikh St., Kharkiv, Ukraine, 61002, e-mail: madman13sd@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/ 0009-0000-2948-0704).
Oleksii MELNYK – Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Senior Researcher, Head of the Department of Advanced Technologies for Growing Vegetable and Melon Crops at the Institute of Vegetable and Melon Growing of the NAAS (1, Instytutska St., Selektsiyne Village, Kharkiv Region, Ukraine, 62478, e-mail: melnyk.iob@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000–0002–0965–6116).
The article presents a new design of a straw mulch picker for the technology of growing potatoes on the field surface and the results of its experimental evaluation. The relevance of the study lies in the need to improve mechanized mulch removal before harvesting while ensuring minimal damage to potato tubers. The proposed picker is equipped with curved combined guide plates with stalk lifters, which intensify lifting and separation of the mulch layer and reduce the harmful mechanical impact on tubers located near the soil surface.
The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the height of the picker drum rakes on the completeness of mulch pickup and the level of tuber damage. Experimental studies were carried out under different adjustment parameters of the working elements. The relationship between the gap value and the main quality indicators of the technological process was established.
The results showed that the optimal gap of 4.5 cm ensures the best combination of performance indicators. Under these conditions, maximum completeness of mulch pickup was achieved together with minimal damage to potato tubers. A smaller gap increases the mechanical impact on tubers, whereas a larger one reduces the efficiency of mulch removal.
The proposed technical solution is promising for improving the technology of growing potatoes on the field surface, reducing losses and minimizing tuber injury during harvesting. It also supports a resource-saving approach to production mechanization.
It was experimentally established that the gap between the elastic drum rakes and the field surface determines a trade-off between mulch pickup completeness and tuber damage, with its optimal value ensuring efficient mulch removal while minimizing mechanical impact on the crop.
1. Spaskyi, H. V., & Trutenko, H. O. (2021). Analysis of production and consumption of vegetables and potatoes in the regions of Ukraine. Ekonomika APK, 7, 28–37. https://doi.org/10.32317/2221-1055.202107028 [in Ukrainian].
2. Onopriienko, I. M. (2016). State and prospects of regional potato growing development. Global and National Problems of Economy, 497–500. [in Ukrainian].
3. Muraviov, V. O., Melnyk, O. V., Dukhina, N. H., Semybratska, T. V., & Uriupina, L. M. (2020). Potato cultivation in the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine: recommendations. Vinnytsia: Tvory. [in Ukrainian].
4. Melnyk, O. V. (2023). Cultivation of food and seed potatoes in the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Vinnytsia: Tvory. [in Ukrainian].
5. Palamarchuk, I. I. (2013). Productivity and fruiting dynamics of zucchini under soil mulching in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe. Vegetable and Melon Growing, 59, 226–234. [in Ukrainian].
6. Zribi, W., Aragüés, R., Medina, E., & Faci, J. M. (2015). Efficiency of inorganic and organic mulching materials for soil evaporation control. Soil and Tillage Research, 148, 40–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2014.12.003 [in English].
7. Kader, M. A., Senge, M., Mojid, M. A., & Nakamura, K. (2017). Mulching type-induced soil moisture and temperature regimes and water use efficiency of soybean under rain-fed conditions in central Japan. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 5(4), 302–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2017.08.001 [in English].
8. Pastukhov, V. I., Bakum, M. V., Viskham, A. I., et al. (2016). Substantiation of potato cultivation technology on the field surface under a straw layer. Bulletin of KhNTUSG named after P. Vasylenko. Mechanization of Agricultural Production, 173, 5–13. [in Ukrainian].
9. Pastukhov, V. I., Kyrychenko, R. V., Bakum, M. V., et al. (2020). Substantiation of potato cultivation using Strip-Till technology. Engineering of Nature Management, 2(16), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.37700/enm.2020.2(16).25-32 [in Ukrainian].
10. Pastukhov, V., Mogilnay, O., Bakum, M., Melnyk, O., et al. (2020). Energy-efficient and ecologically friendly technology for growing potatoes under straw mulch. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 10(1), 317–324. https://doi.org/10.15421/2020_50 [in English].
11. Goel, L., Shankar, V., & Sharma, R. K. (2019). Investigations on effectiveness of wheat and rice straw mulches on moisture retention in potato crop. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 8(Suppl. 1), 345–356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40093-019-00307-6 [in English].
12. Pastukhov, V. I., Mogilna, O. M., Melnyk, O. V., Kyrychenko, R. V., & Bakum, M. V. (2020). Study of agrophons as a factor influencing potato cultivation on the field surface under straw mulch. In Theoretical and practical aspects of vegetable growing development in modern conditions: Proceedings of the III International Scientific and Practical Conference (Vol. 2, pp. 137–139). Vinnytsia: Tvory. [in Ukrainian].
13. Pastukhov, V., Mogilnay, O., Bakum, M., Grabar, I., et al. (2021). Potato growth in moisture deficit conditions. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 11(2), 184–190. https://doi.org/10.15421/2021_97. [in English].
14. Melnyk, O., et al. (2023). Study of the effectiveness of different methods of mulching potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) in the east of Ukraine. Agronomy Research, 21(3), 1221–1232. https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.23.057 [in English].
15. Pastukhov, V. I., Kyrychenko, R. V., Bakum, M. V., & Lubchenko, O. V. (2024). Substantiation of improvement of machines for potato cultivation. In Scientific Week in Kruty – 2024. Proceedings of the X International Scientific and Practical Conference (Vol. 2, pp. 185–188). Vinnytsia. [in Ukrainian].
16. Bondarchuk, A. A., & Koltunov, V. A. (Eds.). (2019). Potato growing: methodology of research. Vinnytsia: Tvory. [in Ukrainian].
About the journal
G8 – Materials Science
G9 – Applied Mechanics
G10 – Metallurgy
G11 – Mechanical Engineering (by specializations)
The journal "Engineering, Energy, Transport AIC" is indexed according to the following databases and catalogs:
The All-Ukrainian scientific journal “Technology, energy, agriculture transport AIC” is an open-access scientific publication that publishes the results of original research, theoretical and applied developments, as well as scientific papers in the fields of engineering sciences, energy systems, and transport technologies of the agro-industrial complex.
The main objective of the scientific journal “Technology, energy, agriculture transport AIC” is to disseminate the results of modern scientific research and to promote the development of technical, energy, and transport solutions for the agro-industrial complex through the publication of scientific materials characterized by scientific novelty and practical significance in the field of design and modernization of machinery, equipment, and technologies.
The journal’s activities are focused on supporting the development of engineering science, stimulating the implementation of innovative approaches into industrial practice, as well as ensuring effective exchange of scientific achievements among researchers, educators, engineers, and other specialists in relevant fields.
Objectives of the Journal
To achieve its defined objective, the journal ensures the implementation of the following key tasks:
· publication of the results of fundamental and applied research covering the fields of applied mechanics, mechanical engineering, materials science, energy systems, electrical engineering, electromechanics, and transport systems of the agro-industrial sector;
· promotion of the implementation of advanced technical and technological developments aimed at improving the efficiency of machinery, equipment, and production processes;
· creation of conditions for active scientific exchange among research institutions, higher education institutions, industrial enterprises, and other interested organizations;
· support for the development of interdisciplinary research and expansion of cooperation among specialists in various fields of science and technology;
· promotion of the improvement of the scientific and technical level of research related to the design, modernization, and operation of technical equipment used in agro-industrial production;
· dissemination of information on modern achievements in science and technology and the implementation of innovative technologies in the fields of technical support, energy, and transport;
· development of a scientific information environment that facilitates effective scientific communication and the integration of national research into the international scientific community.
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
Languages of publication: Ukrainian, English
Editor-in-Chief: Vitalii YAROPUD
State Registration: Decision of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting № 1337 and № 1180. Media Identifier: R30-05173
EDRPOU Code: 00497236
Publisher ROR: https://ror.org/05m3ysc06
Publisher DOI Prefix: 10.37128
Technology, energy, agriculture transport AIC is a scholarly professional journal with a long-standing history and stable academic tradition, reflecting the evolution of engineering and technical sciences within the agro-industrial sector of Ukraine.
The journal was founded in 1997 under the title Bulletin of Vinnytsia State Agricultural Institute. According to the Resolution of the Presidium of the Higher Attestation Commission of Ukraine dated September 11, 1997, the publication obtained the status of a professional scientific journal, which enabled the publication of the main results of doctoral and candidate dissertations in technical sciences. From its inception, the journal positioned itself as an academic platform for addressing current issues of mechanization, electrification, and technical support of agricultural production. During 2001–2014, the journal was published under the title Proceedings of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University. Series: Technical Sciences (State Registration Certificate of Print Media KV No. 16644-5116 PR dated April 30, 2010). Throughout this period, a systematic approach to the selection and peer review of scientific manuscripts was established, the thematic scope of publications was expanded, and continuity of scientific directions as well as the development of sectoral engineering schools was ensured. Since 2015, the journal has been published under its current title, Technology, energy, agriculture transport AIC (State Registration Certificate No. 21906-11806 R dated March 12, 2016). The change of title reflected the expansion of the journal’s thematic coverage and its orientation toward interdisciplinary research in mechanical engineering, energy systems, electrical engineering, transport technologies, automation, and digital solutions for the agro-industrial complex.
